Poor health outcomes for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are apparent when comparing their health indicators against the rest of the U.S.
population.

The Disability and Health Program (DHP) is funded by a three-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The goals of the program are to include Floridians of all ages with disabilities in all of the Department
of Health's programs and activities for health promotion, disease prevention, wellness, and disaster preparedness.

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Influenza or 'flu' is a viral respiratory illness, mainly spread by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze
or talk. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection are hospitalization or death. Florida is currently experiencing a moderately severe influenza season. The best way to protect yourself from flu
is to get vaccinated, practice good hand washing hygiene, and stay home/keep children home when sick. To find a vaccine, please visit
www.floridahealth.gov/findaflushot.

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TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health announces the launch of the State Surgeon General’s Worksite Wellness Recognition Program. The program recognizes more than 400 organizations that have achieved a third party award or recognition for workplace wellness during the 2013 calendar year. These organizations will receive a letter and certificate from the Department to acknowledge and thank them for the steps they have taken to make Florida the healthiest state in the nation.

“The worksite is an important environment for health,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health, Dr. John Armstrong, MD, FACS. “Florida's businesses and diverse organizations play crucial roles in promoting healthy weight for their employees.

Full-time workers in the U.S. who are healthy greatly reduce their chance of developing chronic health problems. Building a healthy workforce allows Florida’s businesses to minimize the current rate of absenteeism caused by unhealthy employees. Today, health-related absenteeism causes an estimated loss of more than $153 billion in productivity annually.

Due to the unsustainable costs associated with unhealthy employees, many employers are recognizing their role in creating healthy work environments that make it easier for employees to make healthy choices. Maintaining a healthier workforce can lower direct costs such as insurance premiums and worker’s compensation claims. Healthier employees also decrease absenteeism and increase worker productivity.

Expanding the role of employers in promoting a healthy lifestyle is an important goal of the Department’s Healthiest Weight Florida initiative. Healthiest Weight Florida, launched in January of 2013, is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, and entire communities to help Florida's children and adults make informed choices about healthy eating and active living.